Electronic devices with clips

ABSTRACT

A portable electronic device may have a clip. The clip may be mounted to a housing using hinge structures. The hinge structures may bias the clip towards a closed position. The clip may be opened to attach the portable electronic device to an object. When in the closed position, the clip may lie flush with the exterior of the device housing. Clip biasing may be provided using a torsion spring, a coil spring, a ribbon spring, a clip with built-in biasing, a tension spring, or a compression spring. A coupling mechanism may be used to attach the clip to the housing. The coupling mechanism may include a ratcheting rotatable mechanism, a fixed attachment structure, a flexible attachment structure, a removable structure, or a structure that includes a spring bias adjustment mechanism. The device may have a button with a touch sensor array.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to electronic devices, and moreparticularly, to electronic devices with clips that allow the devices tobe attached to items such as clothing.

Electronic devices such as cellular telephones and media players areincreasingly popular. Because of their popularity, there is a desire toprovide devices such these in a variety of form factors. For example,small media players are popular because of their light weight andcompact size.

It is often desirable to use electronic devices such as these whenengaging in active pursuits. Some devices are provided with lanyards, asthis allows a device to be worn around a user's neck. Other devices areprovided with belt pouches that allow a device to be carried on a user'sbelt or otherwise attached to a user's clothing.

While some conventional arrangements such as these may be helpful, theytend to be bulky, cumbersome, and unsightly.

It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide improved portableelectronic devices such as portable electronic devices with clips forattaching the portable electronic devices to items of clothing.

SUMMARY

A portable electronic device such as a media player or cellulartelephone may be provided with a clip. The clip may be biased towards aclosed position. When opened, the clip can grasp an object such as anitem of clothing.

A spring such as a tension spring, coil spring, ribbon spring,compression spring, or torsion spring may be used in biasing the cliptowards the closed position. The clip may, if desired, be formed from atwisted loop-shaped member that imparts a bias to the clip.

Hinge structures for the clip may allow the clip to pivot about a pivotaxis. The hinge structures may include a hinge pin that is aligned withthe pivot axis. If desired, the hinge structures may include a linkagewith more than one pivot point. For example, the hinge structures mayinclude a hinge member that is attached to the housing at a first pivotpoint and that is attached to the clip at a second pivot point. Afour-bar linkage may be used to attach the clip to the housing ifdesired.

The portable electronic device may include input-output components suchas buttons and displays. If desired, the portable electronic device mayinclude a button with a touch sensor array such as a capacitive touchsensor array. The button may be pressed to operate a dome switch. Anactuator may place the button into a lockout mode when the user's touchis detected on an edge portion of the button.

The portable electronic device may have an audio jack into which anaudio plug associated with an accessory such as a headset may beplugged. The portable electronic device may have a coupling mechanismwith which the clip is coupled to the housing of the portable electronicdevice. The coupling mechanism may rotate about a rotational axis. Therotational axis may be perpendicular to the pivot axis of the. Therotating coupling mechanism may allow a user to place the portableelectronic device in an optimal position during use (e.g., so that aheadset cable that is protruding from the audio jack is located in adesired position). A ratchet structure may be incorporated into therotating coupling mechanism to provide feedback to the user and to helphold the portable electronic device in its intended position.

The coupling mechanism that is used in coupling the clip to the housingof the portable electronic device may be formed from a removablemounting structure, a flexible mounting structure, a rotatable mountingstructure (e.g., a ratchet-based structure), a fixed structure, or astructure in which spring bias for the clip can be adjusted.

The portable electronic device may be provided with a sliding switch.The sliding switch may have a switch member that protrudes through anopening in the device housing. The switch member may be biased towardsthe opening using flexible arms on a backing plate.

Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantageswill be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an illustrative electronic device with a clipin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an illustrative electronic device with a clipand a coupling mechanism with which the clip is mounted to the housingof the electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative electronic device thatmay be provided with a clip in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device with arectangular housing that may be provided with a clip in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an end view of an illustrative electronic device with arectangular housing with rounded edges that may be provided with a clipin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an end view of an illustrative electronic device with ahousing having a curved housing wall with a clip in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view of an illustrative electronic device with arectangular housing having a curved end face in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top view of an illustrative electronic device with acircular housing outline that may be provided with a clip accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show how an illustrative electronic device with arotatable clip may be placed in a variety of positions relative to anitem such as a piece of clothing to which the electronic device isattached in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of an electronic device with aratcheting rotational coupling mechanism with which a clip may bemounted to the electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrativeone-way ratcheting mechanism that may be used in a rotational couplingstructure of the type shown in FIG. 10 in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an illustrativetwo-way ratcheting mechanism that may be used in a rotational couplingstructure of the type shown in FIG. 10 in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view of an illustrative electronic device with a clipthat has been attached to an object such as an item of clothing inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view of an illustrative electronic device having aclip with a flat actuation tab in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 14 is a side view of an illustrative electronic device having aclip with an actuation protrusion in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 15 is a side view of an illustrative electronic device having aclip with a flared finger actuation structure in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronicdevice with a clip that is flush with electronic device housingsidewalls in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronicdevice with a clip that is flush with electronic device housingsidewalls and that has a grooved clip actuation structure in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronicdevice with a clip that is flush with electronic device housingsidewalls and that has a grooved clip actuation structure withprotruding ridges in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronicdevice with a clip that is flush with electronic device housingsidewalls and that has a flared clip end that serves as an actuationstructure for the clip in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional side view of pivot structure that may beused to attach a clip to a housing of an electronic device in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional side view of double-pivot structure thatmay be used as a linkage to attach a clip to a housing of an electronicdevice in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronicdevice that may have a double-pivot linkage of the type shown in FIG. 21in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23A is a cross-sectional side view of an electronic device having aclip that is attached to the electronic device using a four-bar linkagein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23B is a cross-sectional side view of an electronic device of thetype shown in FIG. 23A with the clip in the open position in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24A is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronicdevice with a clip that is attached to the electronic device using aflexible mounting member in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 24B is a cross-sectional side view of the illustrative electronicdevice of FIG. 24A with the clip in an open position and its flexiblemounting member in a bent position in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic devicehaving a clip that is flush with the housing of the electronic deviceand that has a flared actuation portion in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronicdevice of the type shown in FIG. 25 showing how the clip may be biasedusing a compression spring in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronicdevice showing how a clip may be biased using a tension spring inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device clipthat is formed from a twisted loop of material that can serve as anintegral spring and clip structure in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 29 is a rear perspective view of an illustrative electronic devicewith a clip of the type shown in FIG. 28 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30A is a side view of an illustrative electronic device of the typeshown in FIG. 29 with its clip in a closed position in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30B is a side view of an illustrative electronic device of the typeshown in FIG. 29 with its clip in an open position in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronicdevice clip with an adjustable compression spring in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of an illustrative ribbon spring that maybe used in biasing a clip in an electronic device in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of an illustrative coil spring formed froma flat strip of metal that may be used in biasing a clip in anelectronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of an illustrative single-ended torsionspring formed from a piece of bent wire for biasing a clip in anelectronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of an illustrative double-ended torsionspring for biasing a clip in an electronic device in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a side view of an illustrative torsion spring showing how thespring may bias a clip relative to the housing of an electronic devicein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a side view of a torsion spring showing how the spring may bepre-biased to help hold a clip in a closed position against the wall ofan electronic device housing in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 38 is a side view of an illustrative portion of an electronicdevice housing containing a sliding switch in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 39 is a perspective interior view of an electronic device with asliding switch showing how a switch retention plate may be used to helphold the switch in place during use in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic deviceshowing how a clip may be mounted to the device at a hinge that containsa torsion spring in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 41 is an exploded perspective view of the illustrative electronicdevice of FIG. 40.

FIG. 42 is a side view of a device of the type shown in FIG. 41 showinghow the tension spring may be used to hold the clip into place againstthe housing of the electronic device in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 43 is an exploded perspective view showing parts that may be usedin an illustrative spring hinge for an electronic device clip based on adouble-ended torsion spring in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 44 is an exploded perspective view showing how hinge caps may beinserted into a hinge barrel in a hinge for an electronic device clip inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional top view of an illustrative hinge barrelcap showing how the cap may contain guiding surfaces that help pre-biasa torsion spring in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional end view of illustrative structures thatmay be used in the hinge of an electronic device clip with adouble-ended torsion spring in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional end view of illustrative structures thatmay be used in the hinge of an electronic device clip with a coil springin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 48 is an exploded perspective view showing how an electronic deviceclip hinge may provide the clip in an electronic device with a biasusing a coil spring with a central bar in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional end view of an illustrative hinge with acoil spring of the type shown in FIG. 48 for biasing a clip on anelectronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic devicehaving a removable clip in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 51 is a top view of a portion of the removable clip and electronicdevice of FIG. 50 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative spring-loaded pinof the type that may be used in removably attaching a clip to anelectronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 53 is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic devicehaving a housing and integral clip that have been formed from a unitarypiece of bent metal in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 54 is an exploded perspective view of an illustrative electronicdevice with a clip and switch in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 55 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device of the typeshown in FIG. 54 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Portable electronic devices are often carried in a user's pocket or bag.Other arrangements may also be used to help a user carry an electronicdevice. For example, a holster may be helpful for carrying a cellulartelephone. A user might also use a lanyard for carrying a portable mediaplayer.

Sometimes it is desirable to attach portable electronic devices to auser's clothing. For example, a clip may be used to attach a mediaplayer to a user's exercise clothes when the user is exercising. A clipmay also be helpful when a user is performing an activity that requiresboth hands or is in a situation in which use of the user's pocket or bagto stow the device is awkward or impossible.

An illustrative electronic device that may be provided with a clip inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1.Device 10 of FIG. 1 may be, for example, a portable electronic devicesuch as a portable music player or a cellular telephone. Device 10 istypically compact. With one illustrative arrangement, device 10 has thesize of a user's finger (e.g., device 10 has exterior dimensions thatare generally less than about 3 inches, less than about 2 inches, orless than about 1 inch). Finger-size devices tend to be light in weight,so it is not unpleasant to clip a device of this type to an item ofclothing. If desired, however, device 10 may be larger. The use offinger-size configurations for device 10 is merely illustrative.

If desired, device 10 may support wireless functions. For example,device 10 may support wireless functions such as local wireless linkfunctions (e.g., for IEEE 802.11 operations or Bluetooth® operations).Device 10 may also support remote wireless links (e.g., for cellulartelephone communications). To conserve battery life and reduce cost,device 10 may also be implemented in a configuration without wirelessfunctions.

Device 10 may have housing 12. Housing 12 may be formed of any suitablematerials including, plastic, glass, ceramics, metal, other suitablematerials, or a combination of these materials.

Housing 12 may contain storage and processing circuitry for implementingdevice functions such as media playback functions and wirelesscommunications functions.

Device 10 may have input-output devices such as button 14 and switch 16.Button 14 may be a stand-alone button or may be a button that isintegrated with a display or touch sensor. A separate display or touchsensor may also be provided in device 10.

Device 10 may use any suitable display technology. For example, device10 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emittingdiode (OLED) display, or any other suitable display. The outermostsurface of the displays in device 10 may be formed from one or moreplastic or glass layers. If desired, touch screen functionality may beintegrated into a display or may be provided using a separate touch paddevice. An advantage of integrating a touch screen into displays indevice 10 to make them touch sensitive is that this type of arrangementcan save space and reduce visual clutter. If desired, touchfunctionality may be provided in a button such as button 14. Forexample, capacitive touch sensor electrodes may be included in all orpart of button 14 so that the position of a user's finger can bedetermined. Button 14 may also be provided with an integral touchscreen. To prevent inadvertent actuation of button 14 (e.g., whensqueezing device 10 to actuate a clip), button 14 may be provided with atouch-triggered button lockout feature.

Switch 16 may be a sliding switch that has a switch member 17 thatreciprocates along a switch opening 19 in housing 12. There may, ingeneral, be any suitable numbers of buttons and switches on device 10.The configuration of FIG. 1 in which device 10 has a single button 14and a single switch 16 is merely illustrative.

Input-output components such as buttons and switches may be used tocontrol device functions such as power functions, media playbackfunctions, cellular telephone functions, etc.

Device 10 may have a mechanism for attaching device 10 to a user'sclothing or other objects. With one suitable arrangement, which issometimes described herein as an example, device 10 may have one or moreclips such as clip 18. Clip 18 may be placed in an open position or aclosed position. Springs or other biasing structures may be used to biasthe clip towards its closed position. In a typical scenario, a userpresses on part of clip 18 to open the clip. When opened, an opening(sometimes called a throat) is created between clip 18 and housing 12.Clothing or other objects may be inserted into the opening. A user maythen release the clip. When released, the biasing structure for the clipgrasps the clothing between the clip and the housing. When the user hasfinished using the clip, the clothing can be released and the clip canbe fully returned to its closed position.

As shown in FIG. 2, clip 18 may be provided with a hinge or othermechanism in region 28 that allows clip end 24 to move away from housing12 in direction 26.

Device 10 may also be provided with a clip coupling mechanism such ascoupling mechanism 20. Coupling mechanism 20 may enhance thecapabilities of clip 18. For example, coupling mechanism 20 may provideclip 18 with the ability to rotate about axis 22. Coupling mechanism 20may also be used to help clip 18 to flex, to allow clip 18 to be removedand reattached to device 10, to adjust the biasing strength of thebiasing structures for clip 18, etc. If desired, some or all of couplingmechanism 20 may be implemented using the structures of housing 12.

A schematic diagram showing components that may be used in device 10 isshown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, device 10 may include storage andprocessing circuitry 30. Storage and processing circuitry 30 may includestorage devices such as volatile and nonvolatile memory chips, memorythat is incorporated in other integrated circuits (e.g., registers,cache, or other memory in a processor or application-specific integratedcircuit), hard disk drives, solid state disk drives, removable storage,etc. Storage and processing circuitry 30 may also include one or moreprocessing circuits such as microprocessors, microcontrollers, digitalsignals processors, application specific integrated circuits, wirelesscommunications processing circuits (e.g., baseband modules), audio andvideo processing circuits (e.g., a codec chip), etc.

Device 10 may also include input-output devices 32. Input-output devices32 may include buttons, switches, or other electrical actuators, touchscreens, non-touch displays, keyboards, key pads, audio jacks and otherinput-output connectors such as universal serial bus ports and otherdigital data ports, microphones, speakers, indicator lights, etc.

Coupling structures 20 may be used to couple clip 18 to housing 12, asshown in FIG. 2. Coupling structures 20 may include rotatablestructures, removable structures, flexible structures, fixed structures,adjustable structures such as structures for adjusting clip bias, othersuitable structures, or combinations of these coupling structures.

Housing 12 may have any suitable shape. For example, housing 12 may haverectangular front and rear faces, as shown in FIG. 4. In the example ofFIG. 4, input-output component 36 has been mounted on the front face(upper surface) of device 10. Component 36 may be a button, display, orany other suitable input-output device.

Device 10 may have an audio jack such as audio jack 34. Jack 34 may be,for example, a ⅛″ (3.5 mm) audio jack that receives a mating plug on aheadset or other audio accessory. In the example of FIG. 4, jack 34 hasbeen formed on the same end face (housing end face 12A) of device 10 asswitch 16. This is, however, merely illustrative. Audio jacks such asjack 34 may be provided on any suitable surface of housing 12 ifdesired.

As shown in FIG. 4, clip 18 may be mounted on the rear (lower) surfaceof device 10 (e.g., on the housing surface opposite to the housingsurface that contains input-output component 36).

In the example of FIG. 5, housing 12 has been provided with a planar endface (end face 12A) and rounded sidewalls (sidewalls 12B).

In the example of FIG. 6, surface 12C of housing 12 is curved. Clip 18may have a curved shape that matches the shape of curved surface 12C andthat allows clip 18 to be retracted in to a closed position in whichclip 18 lies flush with housing 12.

A top view of device 10 having a housing 12 with a curved end wall isshown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, audio jack 34 may be mounted incurved end surface 12D of housing 12. Clip 18 may be mounted on the rearsurface of device 10 (not shown in FIG. 7). Switch 16 of FIG. 7 may bemounted on one of the side walls of housing 12.

In the illustrative arrangement of FIG. 8, audio jack 34 and switch 16are mounted on opposing sidewalls of housing 12. Housing 12 may have acircular shape of the type shown in the top view of FIG. 8 or may haveother suitable shapes (e.g., oval shapes, shapes that includedome-shaped portions or spherical portions, triangular shapes,cylindrical shapes, etc.). The arrangement of FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8are merely illustrative.

It may be desirable to rotate device 10 after device 10 has beenattached to a users' clothing. This is illustrated in the example ofFIGS. 9A and 9B. As shown in FIG. 9A, device 10 may be attached to auser's shirt sleeve or other clothing item 44 using a clip (e.g., clip18 of FIG. 2). Coupling structure 20 (FIG. 2) may be a rotatablestructure that couples clip 18 to housing 12 of device 10.

In the position shown in FIG. 9A, device 10 is oriented relative to itsclip so that longitudinal axis 38 of audio jack 34 is orientedvertically along direction 46. This allows cable 36 of a headset orother accessory to protrude out of jack 34 in direction 46.

The orientation of device 10 of FIG. 9A may not be comfortable for theuser. The user may therefore rotate device 10 about rotational axis 40(an axis pointing out of the page in the orientation of FIG. 9A). Theuser may, for example, rotate device 10 relative to its clip incounterclockwise direction 42.

Following rotation, device 10 of FIG. 9A may appear as shown in FIG. 9B.As shown in FIG. 9B, device 10 may be oriented so that longitudinal axis38 of audio jack 34 points in direction 48, rather than verticaldirection 46. In this configuration, jack 34 is oriented so thatlongitudinal axis 38 is angled with respect to vertical axis 50. Clipcoupling mechanism 20 may include a ratchet or other mechanism thathelps to maintain device 10 in its rotated orientation followingrotation. The user may therefore rotate device 10 whenever desired(e.g., to move cable 36 into a position that is most comfortable to theuser).

An illustrative configuration for a device with a rotatable couplingmechanism is shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10, device 10 may havestorage and processing circuitry 30 that is mounted in housing 12.Storage and processing circuitry 30 may be electrically coupled toinput-output devices such as audio jack 34. Audio jack 34 may protrudeout of a sidewall of housing 12. Although the sidewalls of housing 12are shown as being vertical in the cross-sectional view of theillustrative device in FIG. 10, this is merely an example. Jack 34 mayprotrude through an upper or lower face of housing 12 or the housingsidewalls may be curved (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5 by curved sidewalls12B).

Device 10 of FIG. 10 may have upper and lower faces of any suitableshape. For example, the outline of device 10 may be circular as shown inthe top view of device 10 in FIG. 8.

Rotatable ring member 54 may be mounted in housing 12. Clip 18 may beconnected to ring member 54 by a structure such as hinge 52. When it isdesired to rotate clip 18 relative to housing 12, clip 18 and rotatablering member 54 may be rotated about rotational axis 40. Rotational axis40 may be located in roughly the center of the upper and lower surfacesof housing 12 (as an example).

Housing 12 may have an annular groove such as groove 56. Rotatable ringmember 54 may have a corresponding annular groove such as groove 58.When ring member 54 is placed within housing 12, grooves 56 and 58 maybe aligned with each other to form annular groove 62. Annular spring 60may have a star-shaped appearance (when viewed from the top). Duringassembly, spring 60 can be radially compressed before being released ingrove 62. When released in groove 62, spring 60 expands and is capturedby the walls of groove 62. The outer sidewalls of groove 62 resistfurther expansion of spring 60. When captured in groove 62, themeandering shape of spring 60 helps to hold rotatable ring member 54 inits desired position in housing 12 while allowing rotatable ring member54 to freely rotate about rotational axis 40.

Device 10 may have a spring-loaded pin such as pin 64. Pin 64 may have apin member 66 that reciprocates within pin barrel structure 74 along itslongitudinal axis. Structure 74 may be provided by a pin barrel member,by portions of housing 12, or other suitable structures. A spring suchas spring 72 may be provided in pin barrel structure 74 to bias pinmember 66 upwards in direction 76. When biased upwards in direction 76by spring 72, end 68 of pin member 66 bears against lower surface 70 ofrotatable ring member 54. Surface 70 may be provided with corrugationsthat create detents in the rotational motion of rotatable ring member54. These detents may give rise to audible clicks and tactile feedbackwhen rotating member 54 and clip 18 relative to housing 12.

Corrugated ring surface 70 may be configured to allow bidirectionalrotation or unidirectional rotation. In the example of FIG. 11A, surface70 has an asymmetric pattern that allows pin end 68 to ride over thesurface peaks when ring member 54 is rotated in one direction (e.g.,counterclockwise) but that prevents motion in the opposite direction(e.g., clockwise). In the example of FIG. 11B, surface 70 has asymmetric pattern of undulations that allows pin end 68 to ride over thepeaks in surface 70 when ring member 52 is rotated in either a clockwiseor a counterclockwise direction.

FIG. 12 is a side view of an illustrative device 10 in which clip 18 hasbeen used to grasp an item of clothing 44. As shown in FIG. 12, clip 18may be provided with one or more grip enhancement features such asprotrusion 78. Housing 12 of device 10 may also be provided with one ormore grip enhancement features such as protrusion 80. When clip 18 isbeing used to grasp clothing 44, protrusions 78 and 80 may help toprevent clothing 44 from slipping out of clip 18.

Clip 18 may pivot about hinge 52. Clip 18 may be opened by pressing onclip actuation structure 82. Any suitable configuration may be used forclip actuation structures in device 10. For example, clip actuationstructure 82 may be smooth, may have depressions, may have protrusions,may have grooves, may have a rough surface, etc.

FIG. 13 is a side view of an illustrative device configuration in whichclip 18 has a flat and smooth clip actuation structure 82.

FIG. 14 is a side view of an illustrative device configuration in whichclip 18 has a clip actuation structure 82 with a protrusion. The use ofa protrusion such as the protrusion of FIG. 14 may help a user actuateclip 18 with a finger without losing purchase on the clip actuationstructure.

As shown in FIG. 15, the end of clip 18 may be flared to provide adiving-board-shape to clip actuation structure 82. This type ofarrangement may make it easier for a user to identify which end of clip18 is the appropriate end to press when opening clip 18.

The examples of FIGS. 13, 14, and 15 involve the use of clips 18 thatare mounted on a hinge 52 so that clip 18 is raised above the surface ofhousing 12 and is not flush. If desired, these clips and other clips maybe mounted flush in housing 12. This type of arrangement is shown inFIG. 16. As shown in FIG. 16, the exterior surface of clip 18 may lieflush with one of the outer surfaces of housing 12, so that hinge 52 isrecessed within housing 12. A cavity such as cavity 90 may be formedunder clip actuation structure 82 of clip 18. When a user presses onclip actuation structure 82, end 92 of clip 18 will move inwardly indirection 88. As end 92 moves into cavity 90, end 84 of clip 18 willopen outwardly in direction 86.

As shown in FIG. 17, clip 18 may be provided with a clip actuationstructure with grooves. The grooves of clip actuation structure 82 ofFIG. 17 lie flush with the surface of housing 12. If desired, thegrooves of clip actuation structure 82 may protrude above the surface ofhousing 12, as shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 19 shows an illustrative arrangement for device 10 in which end 92is bent outwards relative to main body 94 of clip 18. The bent shape ofend 92 allows clip actuation structure 82 protrude above surface 12E ofhousing 12. Main body 94 of clip 18 may lie flush with housing surface12E.

Hinge structures such as hinge 52 may have any suitable degree offreedom. An illustrative single-pivot configuration for hinge 52 isshown in FIG. 20. As shown in FIG. 20, hinge 52 may have a pin structuresuch as pin structure 96 formed from one or more pins. The pin structuremay serve as a pivot point that allows clip 18 to pivot relative todevice housing 12 (e.g., so that clip 18 can rotate about the pin indirection 98.

If desired, hinge 52 may be provided with more degrees of freedom. Anillustrative double-pivot configuration for hinge 52 is shown in FIG.21. As shown in FIG. 21, a double-pivot design may use two pinstructures such as pin structure 96A and pin structure 96B. A bar membersuch as member 100 may be used to connect clip 18 to housing 12. Becauseclip 18 can pivot relative to member 100 about pin structure 96A andbecause member 100 can pivot relative to housing 12 about pin structure96B, a wide variety of motions of clip 18 may be permitted. For example,clip 18 may translate in direction 102 and in direction 104. This typeof translational motion may be used, for example, to release and engagethe tip of clip from a clip retention structure in housing 12.

An illustrative configuration for device 10 in which clip 18 is providedwith a double-pivot hinge 52 to allow clip 18 to translate as describedin connection with FIG. 21 is shown in FIG. 22. As shown in FIG. 22,clip 18 may be provided with a curved tip 110 that serves as a clipengagement structure. When clip 18 is in its closed position, clipengagement structure 110 may be received within mating recess 112 ofhousing 12. Recess 112 may be formed from housing portions such asprotrusion 108 and tip 114 or other suitable device structures.

Hinge 52 has pins 96A and 96B. Pins 96A and 96B are connected by hingemember 100. This allows clip 18 to be translated substantially parallelto the surface of device 10. For example, when it is desired to releaseclip from stowed position 116, clip 18 may be moved in direction 120.Once tip 110 disengages from recess 112, clip 18 can be moved indirection 122 to reach open position 118. After clip 18 has been used,clip 18 can be returned to stowed position 116 by moving clip 18 indirection 120 until tip 110 is engaged by recess 112. Clip 18 can thenbe released. Springs or other suitable biasing mechanisms may be used toprovide biases to close clip 18 and to help hold clip 18 in place instowed position 116.

As shown in FIG. 23A, hinge structure 52 may be implemented using afour-bar linkage. With this type of arrangement, bar 100A is used toconnect hinge pin 96A with hinge pin 96B and bar 100B is used to connecthinge pin 96C with hinge pin 96D. Housing 12, clip 18, member 100A, andmember 100B serve as four “bars” in the four-bar linkage of FIG. 23A. Asshown in FIG. 23B, this type of linkage may allow a satisfactorily widethroat to be produced when clip 18 is opened while preventing clip 18from over-opening.

If desired, clip 18 may be coupled to device 10 using a flexiblemounting arrangement. As shown in FIG. 24A, for example, clip 18 andhinge 52 may be mounted on a flexible member such as flexible member126. Flexible member 126 may be formed from a portion of housing 12 or aseparate structure that is attached to housing 12. Member 126 may beformed from a thin sheet of metal or other suitable flexible materialthat allows member 126 to flex up and down (directions 129). A cavitysuch as cavity 128 may be formed in housing 12 to allow member 126 toflex towards the interior of device 10. When a user presses on clip 18,member 126 may flex inwards as shown in FIG. 24B. This may allow clip 18to open more widely than would otherwise be possible.

A perspective view of an illustrative device 10 with a clip that liesflush with the device housing is shown in FIG. 25. As shown in FIG. 25,when a user presses inwardly on clip actuation structure 82 in direction130, clip 18 pivots about an internal hinge in housing 12 so that end 84of clip 18 move outwardly in direction 86. When a user releases clip 18,a clip biasing structure may bias end 84 inwardly in direction 132(e.g., to grasp an item of clothing).

The clip biasing structure for clip 18 may be based on magnets, flexingclip structures, springs, or any other suitable biasing arrangement.

An example of a clip biasing structure based on a compression spring isshown in FIG. 26. As shown in FIG. 26, spring 134 may be mounted in theinterior of device 10 in cavity 90. When a user presses on clipactuation structure 82, end 92 of clip 18 will be forced inwardly indirection 130, thereby compressing spring 134. When clip 18 is released,compression spring 134 will expand in direction 136, pressing againstend 92. This will cause clip 18 to pivot about hinge 52 so that end 84of clip 18 is biased in direction 132, thereby closing clip 18.

Another illustrative biasing arrangement for clip 18 is shown in FIG.27. As shown in FIG. 27, tension spring 138 may be connected betweenhousing structure 140 and clip structure 142. When clip 18 is opened indirection 86, structure 142 will rotate about hinge pin structure 96, sothat spring holding structure 142 on clip 18 will move away from springholding structure 140 in housing 12. This stretches and tensions spring138, thereby pulling post 142 back into device 10 and biasing clip 18towards its closed position.

If desired, biasing functions can be incorporated into clip 18 byforming clip 18 from a flexible structure that serves as a type ofintegral biasing structure. An illustrative arrangement of this type isshown in the example of FIGS. 28, 29, 30A, and 30B.

As shown in FIG. 28, clip 18 may be formed from a member such as openloop member 142. Open loop member 142 may be formed from a ring of metalor other suitable material with a gap 144 that separates end 146 fromend 148. In its unassembled state, loop member 142 may be twisted asshown in FIG. 28, so as to provide a built-in bias when assembled indevice 10. When twisted, end 148 will lie on line 154, but end 146 willlie at a distance D above line 154. Cylindrical bores 150 and 152 mayserve as pin holes into which hinge pins 156 and 158 may be inserted.

As shown in FIG. 29, housing 12 of device 10 may have a hinge supportstructure 160 that receives pins 156 and 158. When clip 18 is attachedto device 10, pins 156 and pins 158 pass through pin holes 150 and 152(FIG. 28) and are received by corresponding holes in hinge supportstructure 160. This forces end 146 of loop member 142 downward and intoalignment with end 148, thereby biasing loop 142 so that end 84 pressesinwardly against housing 12.

When a user presses on clip actuation structure 82, end 164 of loopmember 142 is forced into housing cavity 162. This causes end 84 of clip18 to move in direction 86, thereby opening clip 18.

A side view of clip 18 of FIG. 29 in its closed position is shown inFIG. 30A. In this configuration, end 84 is biased inwardly in direction132 as loop member 142 attempts to regain its original shape. Thisoriginal shape is shown in FIG. 28. FIG. 28 also shows the location ofloop member edges 166 and 168. As shown in FIG. 30B, when a user opensclip 18, edge 166 of loop member 142 rises above edge 168 of loop member144. This generates a restoring bias for end 84 of clip 18 in direction132.

FIG. 31 shows an illustrative configuration for clip 18 in which themagnitude of the clip closing bias may be adjusted by a user (e.g.,during manufacturing, by service personnel, or by an end user).

As shown in FIG. 31, housing 12 may have a threaded bore such as bore170 that receives a corresponding threaded screw such as screw 172.Screw 172 may have a slot such as slot 174 or other tool engagementstructure that receives a screwdriver blade or other tool structure.When a user rotates the screwdriver about rotational axis 176, screw 172will advance into bore 170 in direction 188. Spring 178 may becompressed between end 180 of screw 172 and linking structure 182. Thispresses linking structure 182 against portion 184 of hinge member 186and causes clip 18 to rotate about pin 96 in hinge 52 so that end 84 ofclip 18 is biased inwardly in direction 132. If screw 172 is rotated sothat screw 172 advances significantly into bore 170 in direction 188,spring 178 will be compressed more forcefully and clip 18 will be biasedtowards its closed position more forcefully. If screw 172 is rotated sothat screw 172 is retracted out of bore 170 in direction 190, spring 178will be compressed less forcefully and the inward biasing force on clip18 will be reduced accordingly.

In the example of FIG. 31, spring 178 is a coil spring that is used in acompression spring configuration. This is merely illustrative. Anysuitable biasing spring may be used to provide closing bias for clip 18if desired. As shown in FIG. 32, for example, spring 178 may beimplemented using a ribbon spring configuration. FIG. 33 shows anexample in which spring 178 is a coil-type spring formed from a flatstrip of metal. Springs such as springs 178 of FIGS. 32 and 33 may betightened and loosened by twisting them about hinge pivot axis 192.

If desired, spring 178 may be formed using a torsion springconfiguration. An illustrative single-ended torsion spring is shown inFIG. 34. As shown in FIG. 34, torsion spring 178 may have a mainelongated portion 194 that is generally aligned with hinge rotationalaxis 192. Spring 178 may have ends 196 and 198 that are bent at angleswith respect to axis 192. When tensioned, spring 178 may produce abiasing force so that end 196 presses in direction 200 and end 198presses in direction 202. This biasing force may be used to close clip18.

A double-ended torsion spring is shown in FIG. 35. In the arrangement ofFIG. 35, spring 178 has elongated portions 194A and 194B that aregenerally aligned with hinge rotational axis 192. Ends 198 may be bentat an angle with respect to axis 192 (e.g., at a right angle). Portions204 may also be formed at an angle with respect to portions 194A and194B and may be used to couple central portion 196 to portions 194A and194B. Springs having the configuration of spring 178 of FIG. 35 aresometimes referred to as double-ended torsion springs, because both oftheir ends 198 are biased in the same direction. In the example of FIG.35, spring 178 may produce a biasing force so that central portion 196presses in direction 200 while ends 198 each press in direction 202. Aswith single-ended torsion spring 178 of FIG. 34, the biasing forceproduced by double-ended torsion spring 178 of FIG. 35 may be used toclose clip 18.

The cross-sectional view of FIG. 36 shows how the ends of a torsionspring such as ends 196 and 198 of single-ended torsion spring 178 ofFIG. 34 may bias clip 18 relative to device housing 12. When clip 18 ismoved from its closed position to its open position, spring 178 istwisted (torsioned). This twisting motion stores energy in spring 178and gives rise to a condition in which spring 178 desires to twist in anopposing direction to release its stored energy. As shown in FIG. 36,when torsion spring 178 is released, spring 178 causes arm 196 to twistabout hinge rotational axis 192 in direction 200 against housing 12while causing end 198 to twist about hinge rotational axis 192 indirection 198 against spring 18. This biases spring 18 in direction 132towards its closed position against housing 12.

If desired, a torsion spring such as single-ended torsion spring 178 ofFIG. 34 or double-ended torsion spring 178 of FIG. 35 may be pre-biased.As shown in FIG. 37, for example, spring 178 may initially bemanufactured so that in its resting state (when storing no energy) arm196 is oriented along axis 206. During pre-biasing operations (e.g., aspart of the process of assembling device 10), spring 178 may be twistedso that arm 196 is moved into alignment with axis 208. In thisconfiguration, spring 178 will bias arm 196 in direction 200. Thisbiasing force exists even without opening clip 18 and may therefore beused to maintain clip 18 in its desired closed position against housing12 when not in use.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a portion of housing 12 of device 10showing how switch member 17 of switch 16 may protrude through housingopening 19. In operation, switch 16 may slide in directions 210 alonglongitudinal axis 212. Member 17 may be placed at one end of opening 19to open switch 16 and may be placed at the other end of opening 19 toclose switch 16 (as an example).

An interior perspective view of switch 16 of FIG. 38 is shown in FIG.39. As shown in FIG. 39, member 17 may be connected to switch mechanism220 using coupling structure 222. Switching mechanism 220 may, ifdesired, be mounted to a rigid printed circuit board (e.g., afiberglass-filled epoxy board) or a flexible printed circuit board(e.g., a flex circuit formed from a flexible polymer sheet such as asheet of polyimide with conductive traces). The arrangement of FIG. 39may be helpful in reducing device height (e.g., by avoiding theinclusion of potentially bulky components directly above switch member17). Nevertheless, because arm 222 and switch mechanism 220 arelaterally offset from opening 19, switch member 17 may be susceptible toslight inward movement in direction 224 when actuated by a user.

It may therefore be desirable to provide a support structure such asbacking plate 214 to help switch member 17 to resist displacement indirection 224. When mounted to the interior of housing 12, flexiblesupport members 216 of plate 214 may press against surface 218 of switchmember 17, thereby biasing switch member 17 outwardly through opening 19in direction 226. As switch member 17 moves back and forth in directions210, flexible support members 216 may flex to accommodate differentswitch positions while continuously biasing switch member 17 indirection 226.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device 10 inwhich hinge 52 has been provided with a barrel shaped enclosure with anassociated spring. A user may press on clip actuation structure 82 ofclip 18 to open clip in direction 86. The spring in the barrel-shapedenclosure of hinge 52 may bias clip 18 in direction 132. The spring maybe, for example, a single-ended torsion spring such as torsion spring178 of FIG. 34 or a double-ended torsion spring such as spring 178 ofFIG. 35. Torsion springs tend to be compact and therefore allowlow-profile hinge structures to be formed. Low-profile designs may helpimprove the appearance of device 10 and may allow device 10 to bereduced in size. If desired, torsion springs may be used in devices 10with clips 18 that are flush with housing surfaces.

An exploded perspective view of the illustrative device of FIG. 40 isshown in FIG. 41. As shown in FIG. 41, housing 12 may have a post suchas post 228. Post 228 may have a cylindrical bore such as bore 232 forreceiving hinge pin structures for hinge 52. The hinge pin structuresmay be used to pivotably attach clip 18 to housing 12.

Post 228 may have a groove such as groove 230 that serves to engagetorsion spring 178. For example, groove 230 of post 232 may engagecentral portion 196 of double-ended torsion spring 178 of FIG. 35. Ends198 of torsion spring 178 of FIG. 35 may be engaged by grooves insideend cap structures in hinge barrel 52 of clip 18. When held in this way,spring 178 may bias clip 18 into a closed position against housing 12.

A cross-sectional view of device 10 of FIGS. 40 and 41 is shown in FIG.42. As shown in FIG. 42, portion 196 of spring 178 of FIG. 35 may bereceived in groove 230 of post 228 and may press upwards in direction200. Ends 198 of spring 178 may press against portions of hingestructure 52 that are connected to clip 18. This biases clip 18 indirection 132 relative to housing 12.

An exploded perspective view of illustrative components associated withhinge structure 52 of FIGS. 40, 41, and 42 is shown in FIG. 43. As shownin FIG. 43, hinge structure 52 may include a hinge barrel structure 234in which spring 178 may be mounted. When assembled, spring portion 196may fit in groove 230 of post 228. Spring edges 198 may be captured bygrooves in barrel end caps 236. End caps 236 may be connected to barrelstructure 234.

A perspective view of an illustrative barrel end cap and an associatedend of barrel structure 234 is shown in FIG. 44. As shown in FIG. 44,barrel structure 234 may have an opening such as rectangular opening 238to receive protruding end cap portion 244 on end cap 236. Portion 244may be press fit into opening 238 during assembly. As end cap 236 ismounted to barrel 234, spring 178 is guided along guide surface 240 andinto buried spring capture groove 242. While being guided in this way,end 198 of spring 178 is twisted about hinge rotational axis 192 (FIG.35) with respect to spring portion 196, thereby pre-torsioning spring178.

This pre-biasing process is illustrated in the cross-sectional top viewof FIG. 45. As shown in FIG. 45, spring end 198 is initially in position198A. As spring end 198 is forced in direction 246 (i.e., as end cap 236is attached to barrel 234), spring end 198 is guided along surface 240to position 198B. During this guiding process, spring end 198 is twistedwith respect to spring portion 196, because spring portion 196 iscaptured by post groove 230 (FIG. 43). Further assembly operations guidespring end 198 to position 198C, 198D, and 198E. In position 198D,spring end 198 starts to be guided by groove 242. In position 198E,assembly is complete and the twisted (pre-biased) spring 178 is held inplace within hinge structures 52.

A cross-sectional end view of device 10 that shows how end caps 236 maybe mounted to hinge barrel structure 234 is shown in FIG. 46. As shownin FIG. 46, hinge structure 234 may be attached to clip 18. Post 228 maybe connected to device housing 12. Pin 248 may pass through pin hole 232(FIG. 43) and into corresponding openings in barrel 234. In operation,clip 18 pivots about pin axis 192, which serves as the rotational axisfor hinge 52. Spring portion 196 is captured by groove 230 in post 228,thereby indirectly pushing against housing 12. Spring ends 198 arecaptured in end caps 236 and thereby push against clip 18.

An illustrative arrangement in which clip biasing spring 178 isimplemented using a coil spring configuration is shown in FIG. 47. Asshown in FIG. 47, housing 12 may have hinge mounting structures 250.Mounting structures 250 may be attached to housing 12 using screws 252or other suitable fastening mechanisms. Clip 18 has hinge members 260and 258. Pin 262 passes through holes in members 260 and 258 and isreceived in holes in mounting structures 250. During operation, clip 18may pivot around pin 262 (e.g., about pivot axis 192). Spring 178 mayhave a coiled center section that is wrapped around pin 262. Bushing264, which may be formed from plastic or other suitable materials, mayprevent spring 178 from becoming too tightly wrapped around pin 262 andmay help to reduce friction in hinge 52. An optional cosmetic cover 266may be used to hide the coils of spring 178 from view. End 254 of spring178 may be attached to mounting structure 250 and end 256 of spring 178may be attached to clip member 258. During assembly, spring 178 may bepre-biased. When released, ends 256 and 254 push in opposite directions,thereby biasing clip 18 towards its closed position against housing 12.

If desired, spring 178 may be implemented using a coil spring with astraight central portion such as portion 196 of the double-ended torsionspring of FIG. 35. This type of arrangement is shown in FIGS. 48 and 49.FIG. 48 is an exploded perspective view of device 10 showing how hinge52 may be provided with a double-ended coil spring having a centralportion 196 that is received by groove 270 of clip post structure 268.FIG. 48 also shows how spring 178 may have coils interposed betweencentral portion 196 and respective ends 198.

As shown in FIG. 49, clip 18 may have hinge members 274 and housing 12may have hinge members 272. Pins 276 may be used to join members 272 and274 and thereby join clip 18 and housing 12 for pivoting motion aboutpivot axis 192. Posts 278 may be attached to housing 12 and post 268 maybe attached to clip 18. Spring support member 280 may pass through thecenters of the coils of spring 178. Ends 198 of spring 178 may engageposts 278 and housing 12. Portion 196 of spring 178 may engage post 268and clip 18. By pre-biasing spring 178, clip 18 may be biased towardsits closed position.

If desired, clip 18 may be mounted to a removable coupling structure(i.e., coupling structure 20 of FIG. 2). This type of arrangement isshown in FIG. 50. As shown in FIG. 50, device 10 may have a removablestructure such as removable structure 282. Structure 282 may have aprotruding portion such as portion 286 that mates with a correspondingrecessed portion in housing 12 such as recessed portion 284. If desired,other mating structures may be used to removably engage structure 282and housing 12.

Clip 18, which may be formed from a flexible strip of metal, may bemounted to removable structure 282 (e.g., using a screw such as screw290). When it is desired to attach mounting structure 282 and clip 18 tohousing 12 of device 10, structure 282 and clip 18 may be inserted intohousing 12 by moving structure 282 in direction 288 along longitudinaldevice axis 292. When inserted into opening 284, structure 282 may beheld in place by friction or by using an attachment mechanism such as aspring-loaded pin mechanism with mating detents. To remove clip 18 fromdevice 10 when clip 18 is not needed, structure 282 may be moved indirection 294 along axis 292.

As shown in FIG. 51, structure 282 may be held in place in opening 284using spring-loaded pins 298. Portion 286 of structure 282 may haverecessed detents 296 that receive the protruding ends of spring-loadedpins 298 when structure 282 is inserted into opening 284. During theinsertion process, pins 298 may be forced flush with the exposed innersurfaces of opening 284. Once structure 282 has been insertedcompletely, however, pins 298 will protrude into recesses 296 onstructure 282, thereby holding structure 282 in place against housing12.

A cross-sectional diagram of an illustrative spring-loaded pin of thetype that may be used for pins 298 of FIG. 51 is shown in FIG. 52. Asshown in FIG. 52, pin 298 may have a tip 302 that mates with acorresponding detent such as one of detents 296 of FIG. 51. Pin member304 may reciprocate along longitudinal axis 312 within barrel member310. Spring 314 may press against barrel surface 308 and against pinsurface 306, thereby forcing pin 298 upwards in direction 300.

If desired, electronic device 10 may have a housing and clip that areformed from a shared structure. As shown in FIG. 53, for example,electronic device 10 may have a housing 12 and a clip 18 that are formedfrom a common piece of bent sheet metal such as metal sheet 316. Ifdesired, other materials may be used in forming a common structure forclip 18 and housing portions 12. For example, a single piece of plasticmay be used in forming both clip 18 and portions of housing 12.

With the illustrative configuration of FIG. 53, member 316 is formedfrom a bent piece of metal. The main body of housing 12 is formed fromtwo overlapping planer rectangular sections with rounded end faces. Clip18 is formed by a narrow extension to the main housing portion. Ifdesired, clip 18 may be formed from a larger piece of metal (e.g., astrip of metal that is equal in width to the strip of metal that is usedin forming housing 12.

When forming device 10 using the bent metal housing arrangement of FIG.53, side panels 318 (also sometimes referred to as end caps) may be usedto fill the otherwise open portions of housing 12. End caps 318 may beformed from plastic, epoxy, or any other suitable material.

An exploded perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of portableelectronic device 10 is shown in FIG. 54. As shown in FIG. 54, device 10may have a housing 12 with a circular outline and rounded edges. Clip 18may be formed from a curved piece of metal that lies flush with the rearsurface of housing 12 when in its closed position. Biasing may beprovided for clip 18 using single-ended torsion spring 178 (see, e.g.,FIG. 34). Spring 178 may be held in place on clip 18 using spring cap332. Spring cap 332 may be formed from plastic or metal and may beconnected to clip 18 using screws 334 or other suitable fasteningmechanisms. Rubber pads 328 and 330 may help to improve friction betweenclip 18 and objects that are being grasped by clip 18 (e.g., cloths).Pads 328 and 330 may be attached to clip 18 using adhesive (as anexample).

Hinge pins 320 may be used to form hinge 52 (FIG. 40). Pins 320 may bemounted in hinge pin holes 324 on hinge plate 326. Hinge plate 326 maybe attached to housing 12 using welds or other suitable attachmentmechanisms. Cover plate 362 may be mounted adjacent to hinge plate 326.Opening 19 in the rear face of housing 12 may be used to accommodateswitch member 17 (see, e.g., FIGS. 38 and 39). Opening 336 mayaccommodate audio jack 34. Metal ring 340 may be welded to housing 12 toform a sleeve for the audio jack.

Battery 338 may be used in powering device 10. Printed circuit board 340may receive power from battery 338. Printed circuit board 340 may beused to mount electrical components such as integrated circuits (storageand processing circuitry 30 of FIG. 3).

Button 14 may be formed from structures such as glass button member 360,sensor flex circuit 358 (e.g., an array of one or more capacitive touchsensor electrodes that provide button 12 with touch sensorfunctionality) and plate 356. An elastomeric gasket may be interposedbetween the edges of glass button member 360 and housing 12 to preventdamage to member 360. Dome switch 354 may be mounted on the underside ofsensor flex circuit 358 and may be actuated by depressing button 14.Flex circuit 358 may be attached to member 360 with adhesive. Flexiblemetal bracket 356 may be attached to flex circuit 358 with adhesive. Theperimeter of flexible metal bracket 356 may be captured by an annulargroove in housing 12 that allows for a limited range of vertical travelfor button 12.

Button 364 may include a button member such as button member 352. Spring350 may bias button member 352 outward. Screws 348 may be used inattaching button member 352 to device 10.

Button 14 may have an automatic lockout feature that preventsinadvertent actuation of button 14 when a user is actuating clip 18, butdoes not wish to use button 14. The button lockout feature may beautomatically activated when a user's finger is detected in region 366of button member 360 using touch sensor flex 358. When sensor flex 358detects that a user is squeezing device 10 between the user's fingers bypressing on clip actuation structure 82 of clip 18 and correspondingregion 366 on the top surface of button member 360, actuator 342 mayprevent vertical travel of button 14. Actuator 342 may be attached toplate 326 using screw 346. Threaded boss 344 on plate 326 may receivescrew 346.

A cross-sectional side view of device 10 of FIG. 54 is shown in FIG. 55.

Although device 10 has been illustrated as having a clip such as clip18, the use of clip 18 is optional. Moreover, other device features suchas the use of switch 16 and button 14 are optional. The particularillustrative combinations of device features that are shown in thedrawings are also merely provided as examples. If desired, othercombinations of these features may be used.

For example, clip 18 may, in general, be provided with any suitablebiasing arrangement (e.g., a torsion spring, a coil spring, a ribbonspring, an integral clip-biasing structure such as a twisted metal loop,etc.). Any of these clip configurations may be used with any of theillustrative housings described herein (e.g., a rectangular housing, acircular housing, housings with surfaces that lie flush with clips,combinations of these clip configurations, etc.). Moreover, any suitablecoupling mechanism may be used in attaching clip 18 to housing 12 (e.g.,a removable clip mounting structure, a flexible clip mounting structure,a fixed clip mounting structure, a rotatable clip mounting structuresuch as a ratcheting clip mounting structure, a clip mounting structurewith a spring force adjustment, combinations of these mountingstructures, etc.).

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this inventionand various modifications can be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable electronic device, comprising: ahousing having a housing surface; a clip; and a hinge coupled betweenthe housing and the clip that includes a linkage member with multiplepivot points and allows the clip to pivot between an open position inwhich at least part of the clip is offset from the housing and a closedposition in which the clip lies flush with the housing surface whereinthe linkage member includes at least: a first bar pivotally connected tothe clip and the housing; and a second bar pivotally connected to theclip and the housing, the second bar longer than the first bar; whereinthe first and second bars angularly pivot the clip with respect to thehousing when the clip is pivoted between the closed position and theopen position.
 2. The portable electronic device defined in claim 1wherein the hinge pivots about a pivot axis, the portable electronicdevice further comprising a rotatable coupling mechanism coupled betweenthe housing and the hinge that allows the clip to rotate relative to thehousing about a rotational axis that is different than the pivot axis.3. The portable electronic device defined in claim 2 wherein therotatable coupling mechanism comprises ratcheting structures.
 4. Theportable electronic device defined in claim 3 wherein the ratchetingstructures comprise a ring with corrugations and a spring-loaded pinthat bears against the corrugations.
 5. The portable electronic devicedefined in claim 4 wherein the hinge is mounted to the ring.
 6. Theportable electronic device defined in claim 1 wherein the hingecomprises a torsion spring that biases the clip against the housing. 7.The portable electronic device defined in claim 6 wherein the clipcomprises a curved surface, wherein the housing surface with which theclip lies flush is also curved, and wherein the housing has a circularoutline.
 8. The portable electronic device defined in claim 2 whereinthe portable electronic device comprises a media player and wherein thehousing has a circular outline that surrounds the rotational axis. 9.The portable electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising aswitch member that protrudes through an opening in the housing; and abacking plate that has at least one flexible member that bears againstthe switch member and biases the switch member outwardly through theopening.
 10. The portable electronic device defined in claim 1 furthercomprising a button that includes a button member and a touch sensorarray connected to a surface of the button member.
 11. A portableelectronic device, comprising: a housing; storage and processingcircuitry mounted in the housing; an input device that includes a touchsensor mounted to a front face of the housing; a clip; and hingestructures that connect the clip to a rear surface of the housing, thatinclude a linkage member with multiple pivot points, and that bias theclip towards a closed position, the linkage member including at least afirst bar pivotally connected to the clip and the housing and a secondbar pivotally connected to the clip and the housing, the second barlonger than the first bar; wherein the first and second bars angularlypivot the clip with respect to the housing when the clip is pivotedbetween the closed position and the open position; and the clip liesflush with the rear surface of the housing in the closed position. 12.The portable electronic device defined in claim 11 wherein the hingestructures include a torsion spring.
 13. The portable electronic devicedefined in claim 12 wherein the torsion spring has an elongated centralportion that engages a groove on a post.
 14. The portable electronicdevice defined in claim 12 wherein the hinge structures furthercomprises a hinge barrel and end caps that fit into the barrel.
 15. Theportable electronic device defined in claim 14 wherein the end caps havegrooves that receive ends of the torsion spring and that have guidesurfaces that pre-bias the spring.
 16. The portable electronic devicedefined in claim 11 wherein the hinge structures include a coil spring.17. The portable electronic device defined in claim 16 wherein the coilspring includes a first end that presses against the clip and a secondend that presses against the housing.
 18. The portable electronic devicedefined in claim 17 further comprising a bushing that is surrounded bycoils in the coil spring.
 19. The portable electronic device defined inclaim 11 wherein the hinge structures form a four-bar linkage in whichthe housing serves as a first bar, the clip serves as a second bar, afirst hinge member serves as a third bar, and a second hinge memberserves as a fourth bar, and wherein the hinge structures comprise pinsthat pivotably couple the first and second hinge members between thehousing and the clip.
 20. The portable electronic device defined inclaim 11 wherein the hinge structures comprise a screw that adjusts howmuch the hinge structures bias the clip towards the closed position. 21.The portable electronic device defined in claim 11 further comprising aflexible member to which the hinge structures are mounted to allow thehinge structures to move relative to the housing when the flexiblemember flexes.
 22. A portable electronic device having: a housing; aclip; a hinge with which the clip is attached to the housing thatincludes a linkage member with multiple pivot points wherein the linkagemember includes at least: a first bar pivotally connected to the clipand the housing; and a second bar pivotally connected to the clip andthe housing, the second bar longer than the first bar; and a torsionspring in the hinge that biases the clip towards the closed position;wherein the clip lies flush with a surface of the housing in the closedposition; and the first and second bars angularly pivot the clip withrespect to the housing when the clip is pivoted between the closedposition and the open position.
 23. The portable electronic devicedefined in claim 22 wherein the hinge has a pivot axis about which thehinge and clip pivot and wherein the portable electronic device furthercomprises a rotatable coupling structure that allows the hinge and clipto rotate about a rotational axis that is perpendicular to the pivotaxis.
 24. The portable electronic device defined in claim 22 furthercomprising a glass button member with a touch sensor array.